The RAW Review – Ronda comes to the aid of Natalya, Lashley and Strowman team up

24 Apr 2018

A week removed from the Superstar Shake Up, the Superstars on RAW went to St. Louis before embarking on a landmark trip to Saudi Arabia in a few days. The Miz found himself drafted to SmackDown Live, while Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are once again employed, this time by RAW and Kurt Angle.

At the Greatest Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar will defend the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns inside a Steel Cage, while a host of other titles will be up for grabs. The Bar, who have been drafted to SmackDown Live, will get one last crack at the RAW Tag Team titles, as they prepare to face the unorthodox — and unhinged team of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt.

Meanwhile, Ronda Rousey came to Natalya’s aid last week, fending off Absolution. Will the Rowdy One be targeted by the devious Superstars? Here is everything that went down earlier today on RAW.

Roman Reigns confronts Brock Lesnar, vows to win Universal title

This week’s edition of Monday Night RAW started with all the Superstars lining up to pay tribute to the late, great Bruno Sammartino.

Lesnar and Heyman then kicked things off, as Heyman, in his usual braggadocios style, talked about why Brock will walk out of Middle East as still the reigning, defending, Universal Champion. Heyman pointed out that WWE had no other alternative but to offer Lesnar a new contract after WrestleMania, and foretold Reigns’ demolition inside the steel cage.

Reigns then interrupted the proceedings, as Lesnar and Roman came face to face. Roman vowed to walk out of Middle East as the new Universal Champion.

Elias was about to give St. Louis a rendition of his iconic verses, but Roode interrupted him. Both the Superstars then faced each other, and in the end, it was the Drifter that picked up the upset victory.

The Ascension faced Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt in a tag team match, and the woken duo picked up the win, to build momentum going into the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Kurt Angle announces the return of Jericho; throws Owens and Zayn under the bus

A week after Owens and Zayn were drafted to RAW by Stephanie McMahon herself, Sami and Kevin hosted the first ever “Sami & Kevin Show” on RAW. Their first guest was none other than the General Manager of RAW, who they mocked before introducing to the fans. Kevin and Sami then pointed out the fact that they did not get along with Shane on SmackDown Live, and Stephanie did not like Kurt, to have brought them to RAW.

Angle then turned the tables, announcing that they would come face to face with Bryan, Jericho, and every other Superstar they crossed at the Greatest Royal Rumble, and then placed Sami and Kevin in a tag team match against Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman later on the show.

Last week, Dolph Ziggler came to RAW, and he wasn’t alone. He brought Drew McIntyre, as both the Superstars ran over Apollo and Titus O’Neil. They faced Titus Worldwide in a tag team match this week, and picked up a dominant win.

Chad Gable sees off a former WWE Champion on RAW

The former member of American Alpha came to RAW as a singles competitor, and will try to emulate what his former tag team partner, Jason Jordan has achieved on the red brand. Gable’s first opponent on RAW was yet another Superstar that was drafted from Tuesday nights, former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal.

Sunil Singh caused a distraction in the early stages to get Mahal the upper hand, but as the match progressed, Gable got his offense in. Towards the end, it was Chad that showed presence of mind, beating the former WWE Champion with a roll up.

Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley overpowered Sami and Kevin, and finished things off rather easily, with Strowman drilling Zayn with the power slam to pick up the win.

Baron Corbin refuses to face No Way Jose, blindsides the Superstar

No Way Jose came out to the ring with his usual Congo line, having a good time, while Corbin was none too thrilled with Jose’s ecstatic demeanor. Corbin said he wouldn’t face someone like Jose, and when the Superstar was making his way back, The Lone Wolf attacked him, and laid him out.

Seth Rollins and Finn Balor faced Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, and defeated the duo without much effort.

Ronda Rousey comes to the aid of Natalya

Last week, Ronda saved Natalya from a beatdown at the hands of Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. This week, we witnessed a 10 woman tag team match, with Nia, Sasha, Bayley, Moon and Natalya taking on the Riott Squad, Bliss and Mickie James.

As the match broke down, the Riott Squad and James targeted Natalya, with Mickie attacking the Queen of Harts. Through brought Ronda out to the ring, who trapped Mickie in an armbar, causing a disqualification. Rousey then helped Natalya to the back as RAW went off the air.